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Tuesday, July 18, 2017

The Campaign for Ar-Raqqa City: June 20 – July 17, 2017

By Christopher
Kozak

The U.S. Anti-ISIS Coalition and
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) achieved small but significant gains against
ISIS in Ar-Raqqa City between June 20 and July 17. The SDF completed
its full encirclement of Ar-Raqqa City on June 29 after seizing a number of
villages on the southern bank of the Euphrates River. Operation Inherent
Resolve Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend stressed that the maneuver emplaced
a “physical
band” that would “prevent escape or reinforcement” by ISIS in Ar-Raqqa
City. The SDF later breached
the heavily-fortified Old City of Ar-Raqqa on July 3 after coalition airstrikes
destroyed two twenty-five meter sections of the historic Rafiqah (Old City)
Walls. These breaches enabled partner forces on the ground to avoid pre-positioned
ISIS defenses at existing channels through the wall, including prepared
direct and indirect fire zones, land mines, IEDs, and SVBIEDs. The SDF simultaneously
continued to secure incremental gains along both the eastern and western axes
of Ar-Raqqa City.

The battle for Ar-Raqqa City
nonetheless stands to protract over the next several months. The SDF has
reportedly encountered
intensified resistance and “better-emplaced defenses” over the past four weeks
following initial rapid gains in districts on the outskirts of Ar-Raqqa City.
ISIS has extensively leveraged innovative
tools to slow coalition advances, including drone-borne munitions and a new
type of motion-activated IED. The SDF has struggled for over a month to
penetrate one “significant
defensive IED belt” on the northern outskirts of Ar-Raqqa City. The SDF
must also contend with continued pressure to protect and evacuate the estimated
30,000
to 50,000 civilians that remain trapped in Ar-Raqqa City. These challenges have
been exacerbated by the poor
combat performance of elements of the Syrian Arab Coalition of the SDF.
Most clearing operations are reportedly led by the Syrian Kurdish YPG while
allied Sunni Arabs – often suffering from lower standards of training,
equipment, and motivation – serve as the rear holding force. ISIS has exploited
these seams to mount successful local counteroffensives against several
districts originally cleared by the Syrian Kurdish YPG. These failures highlight
future problems likely to be faced by the U.S. Anti-ISIS Coalition in the
establishment of a reliable local holding force such as the Raqqa
Internal Security Forces.